Suit hangers

ABSTRACT

A suit hanger includes a hook having a straight portion and a frame connected to the hook. The frame has an articulating section in a middle thereof, thereby allowing the frame to be folded at the articulating section along a pivotal axis that is at an angle with an extending direction of the straight portion of the hook.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to suit hangers, and moreparticularly to suit hangers of the type having a foldable neck to alloweasy use. 2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] When using a suit hanger for hanging up a sweater or T-shirt thathas a narrow neck hole, one of two shoulder portions of the suit hangeris firstly inserted into the neck hole and then the other. Yet, it iscommon that the hook of the suit hanger is stuck in the neck and thusdifficult to complete insertion of the other shoulder portion into theneck hole. In addition, the neck hole might be permanently enlarged ifthe suit hanger is forcibly inserted into the neck hole. A method foravoiding such problems is to insert the suit hanger from a bottom holeof the sweater or T-shirt, yet it is troublesome. For a place forselling or display of clothes, frequent hanging up/taking off of theclothes onto/from suit hangers must be completed as soon as possible.

[0004] The present invention is intended to provide suit hangers of thetype having a foldable neck to mitigate and/or obviate the aboveproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide animproved suit hanger having a neck that can be folded along an axis foreasy insertion of shoulders of the suit hanger into the neck hole of asweater or T-shirt. The suit hanger, including the neck and theshoulders, is made of metal (e.g., steel) and covered by resin toprevent falling of the sweater or T-shirt. Thus, the suit hanger can beused for knitwear. Alternatively, the suit hanger can be integrallyformed from plastic material. A card with a trademark or manufacturername thereon may be attached to the swivel hook of the suit hanger.

[0006] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a suithanger in accordance with the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 1A is a sectional view taken along line 1A-1A of FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a swivel hook of the suit hangerin FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suit hanger in FIG. 1, whereinthe suit hanger is in a folded status.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating insertion of the suithanger in FIG. 1 into a neck hole of upper wear.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, wherein the suit hanger is inan extended status.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the suithanger in accordance with the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the suit hanger in FIG. 5, whereinthe suit hanger is in a folded status.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a neck area of the suithanger in FIG. 5.

[0016]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the suithanger in FIG. 5.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the suithanger in accordance with the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the suit hanger in FIG. 9,wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the suithanger in accordance with the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the suit hanger in FIG. 11,wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.

[0021]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the suit hanger in FIG.11.

[0022]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the suithanger in accordance with the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the suit hanger in FIG. 14,wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.

[0024]FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 in FIG. 14.

[0025]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the suithanger in accordance with the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the suit hanger in FIG. 17,wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.

[0027]FIG. 19 is a top view, partly sectioned, illustrating a neck areaof the suit hanger in FIG. 17.

[0028]FIG. 20 is a top view similar to FIG. 19, wherein the suit hangeris in a folded status.

[0029]FIG. 21 is a modified embodiment of the suit hanger in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The invention will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1through 21.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a suit hanger 10 inaccordance with the present invention generally includes a frame 11consisting of two shoulders 11 a and 11 b and a swivel hook 12. Eachshoulder 11 a, 11 b includes a neck 14 a, 14 b extended from an innerend thereof, each neck 14 a, 14 b having a distal end articulated at 13.In this embodiment, each neck 14 a, 14 b is pivotally mounted about apintle section 12 a (FIG. 1B) of the swivel hook 12. The pintle section12 a is at an angle (preferably 45°) with a straight portion 12 b of theswivel hook 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the articulating section 13formed by the necks 14 a and 14 b and the pintle 12 a of the swivel hook12 extends along a direction that is at an angle (preferably 45°) with ahorizontal plane. As a result, the necks 14 a and 14 b may pivot aboutthe pintle section 12 a of the swivel hook 12, i.e., shoulder 11 a maybe pivoted to a position shown in FIG. 2, thereby allowing easyinsertion of the suit hanger into the neck hole 101 of upper wear (FIG.3). Next, shoulders 11 a and 11 b are returned to their straightpositions for hanging up the upper wear. The frame 11 may be made ofsteel and covered by resin 15 (FIG. 1A) by means of immersing the frame11 in a resin solution. Thus, the upper wear is less likely to slidedown along the shoulders 11 a and 11 b, which is advantageous forknitwear. Removal of the suit hanger from the upper wear can be easilyachieved by reversing the above steps. Undesired enlargement of the neckhole is thus avoided. The articulating section 13 of the suit hanger 10is located in a center of the suit hanger 10 and thus avoids undesiredswaying of the suit hanger when the suit hanger is in its extendedstatus.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 5 through 8, a second embodiment of a suithanger 20 in accordance with the present invention is made of plasticmaterial and generally includes a frame 21 consisting of two shoulders21 a and 21 b and a swivel hook 22. Each shoulder 21 a, 21 b includes aneck 24 a, 24 b extended from an inner end thereof, each neck 24 a, 24 bhaving a distal end articulated at 23. A pivotal axis of thearticulating section 23 is at an angle (preferably 45°) with a straightportion 22 b (FIG. 8) of the swivel hook 22. In this embodiment, neck 24a has a pivotal member 25 formed on the distal end thereof and neck 24 bhas a pivotal member 26 formed on the distal end thereof. The swivelhook 22 is freely rotatably mounted to the pivotal member 26. Thepivotal member 25 includes an annular groove 25 a, a tapered engagingend 25 b, and at least two slits 25 c. The slits 25 c extend in thetapered engaging end 25 b and a bottom wall defining the annular groove25 a and provides resiliency, thereby allowing easy assembly of thepivotal member 26 to the pivotal member 25. The pivotal member 26 ishollow and includes an inner flange 26 a so as to be snapped into theannular groove 25 a (FIG. 7) with the tapered engaging end 25 brotatably engaged in a complimentary compartment 26 b in the pivotalmember 26, thereby allowing relative pivotal movements between thepivotal members 25 and 26. An end wall 25 d, 26 c (FIG. 7) of pivotalmember 25, 26 may be omitted.

[0033] By such an arrangement, shoulder 21 a may be pivoted to aposition shown in FIG. 6, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suithanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in thisembodiment is identical to that in the first embodiment.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a third embodiment of a suit hanger30 in accordance with the present invention is made of plastic materialand generally includes a frame 31 consisting of two shoulders 31 a and31 b and a swivel hook 32. Each shoulder 31 a, 31 b includes a neck 34a, 34 b extended from an inner end thereof. The necks 34 a and 34 b areinterconnected by a bendable junction 34 c therebetween. The junction 34c is a thin, flat member with a V-shape notch 34 d defined in one sidethereof to thereby form an articulating section 33 that has a pivotalaxis at an angle (preferably 45°) with a straight portion 32 b (FIG. 9)of the swivel hook 32. The swivel hook 22 is integrally formed with theneck 34 b.

[0035] By such an arrangement, shoulder 31 a may be pivoted to aposition shown in FIG. 10, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suithanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in thisembodiment is identical to that in the first embodiment.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 11 through 13, a fourth embodiment of a suithanger 40 in accordance with the present invention is made of plasticmaterial and generally includes a frame 41 consisting of two shoulders41 a and 41 b and a hook 42. Each shoulder 41 a, 41 b includes a neck 44a, 44 b extended from an inner end thereof, each neck 24 a, 24 b havinga distal end articulated at 43. A pivotal axis of the articulatingsection 43 is at an angle (preferably 45°) with a straight portion 42 b(FIG. 13) of the hook 42. In this embodiment, neck 44 a has a circularmember 45 a with a hole 48 a formed on the distal end thereof and neck44 b has a circular member 45 b with a hole 48 b formed on the distalend thereof. The hook 42 includes a substantially U-shape member 46formed on a distal end of the straight portion 42 b thereof. The U-shapemember 46 has two lateral walls (not labeled) for pivotally receivingthe circular members 45 a and 45 b by means of extending a pin 47through aligned holes 49 in the lateral wall of the U-shape member 46and the holes 48 a and 48 b.

[0037] By such an arrangement, shoulder 41 a may be pivoted to aposition shown in FIG. 12, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suithanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in thisembodiment is identical to that in the first embodiment.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 14 through 16, a fifth embodiment of a suithanger 50 in accordance with the present invention is made of steel andgenerally includes a frame 51 consisting of two shoulders 51 a and 51 band a hook 52. As described in the first embodiment, the frame 51 may becovered by a layer of resin. Each shoulder 51 a, 51 b includes a neck 54a, 54 b extended from an inner end thereof, each neck 54 a, 54 b havinga horizontal extension 55 a, 55 b extended from a distal end thereof.The extensions 55 a and 55 b are articulated at 53. In this embodiment,the hook 52 includes a substantially U-shape member 56 formed on adistal end of a straight portion 52 b thereof. The U-shape member 56 hastwo lateral walls (not labeled) defining a compartment therebetween forpivotally receiving the extensions 55 a and 55 b. Two pins 57 areprovided to pivotally retain the extensions 55 a, 56 a (FIG. 16) in thecompartment of the U-shape member 56. A pivotal axis of each extension55 a, 55 b is at an angle (preferably 45°) with the straight portion 52b (FIG. 16) of the hook 52.

[0039] By such an arrangement, shoulder 51 a may be pivoted to aposition shown in FIG. 15, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suithanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in thisembodiment is identical to that in the first embodiment.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 17 through 20, a sixth embodiment of a suithanger 60 in accordance with the present invention is made of plasticmaterial and generally includes a frame 61 consisting of two shoulders61 a and 61 b and a hook 62. Shoulder 61 a includes an end that isarticulated to an end of shoulder 61 b at an articulating section 63. Apivotal axis of the articulating section 63 is parallel to an extendingdirection of a straight portion 62 b (FIG. 18) of the hook 62. In thisembodiment, the articulating section 63 includes a first half 63 a onthe shoulder 61 a and a second half 63 b on the shoulder 61 b, the firsthalf 63 a and the second half 63 b being interconnected by a thin, flatbendable section 63 c (FIG. 20) with a V-shape notch 63 d defined in oneside thereof.

[0041] By such an arrangement, shoulder 61 a may be pivoted to aposition shown in FIG. 12, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suithanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in thisembodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment, except for thatthe shoulders 61 a and 61 b may pivot horizontally to allow easier use.In addition, the first half 63 a has a protrusion 65 a and the secondhalf 63 b has a groove 65 b for releasably receiving the protrusion 65 a(see FIGS. 19 and 20).

[0042]FIG. 21 illustrates a modified embodiment of the suit hanger inaccordance with the present invention, wherein a card 200 with atrademark or manufacturer name thereon is attached to the swivel hook12. It is noted that the card 200 may be attached to any one of thehooks illustrated in all of the embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0043] According to the above description, it is appreciated that thesuit hangers in accordance with the present invention may be insertedinto the neck hole of upper wear easily and removal of the suit hangerfrom the upper wear can be achieved easily by means of the articulatingsection located in a middle of the suit hanger frame. The suit hangersin accordance with the present invention may be made of plastic materialor steel covered by a layer of resin to thereby preventing falling ofthe upper wear from the suit hangers, which is advantageous to knitwear.Manufacture of the suit hangers of plastic material can be accomplishedat a lower cost.

[0044] Although the invention has been explained in relation to itspreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A suit hanger comprising: a hook having astraight portion; and a frame connected to the hook and having anarticulating section in a middle thereof, thereby allowing the frame tobe folded at the articulating section along a pivotal axis that is at anangle with an extending direction of the straight portion of the hook.2. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pivotal axis ofthe articulating section is at an angle of 45° with the extendingdirection of the straight portion of the hook.
 3. The suit hanger asclaimed in claim 1 , wherein the suit hanger is made of steel.
 4. Thesuit hanger as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the frame of the suit hangeris made of steel and covered by a layer of resin.
 5. The suit hanger asclaimed in claim 1 , wherein the suit hanger is made of plasticmaterial.
 6. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 5 , further comprisinga card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon.
 7. The suit hangeras claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame includes two shoulders eachhaving a neck extended from an inner end thereof, the articulatingsection being formed on distal ends of the necks.
 8. The suit hanger asclaimed in claim 1 , wherein the pivotal axis of the articulatingsection is defined by a pintle projected from the straight portion ofthe hook and extended in a direction at said angle with the straightportion of the hook.
 9. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 7 , whereinthe suit hanger is made of steel.
 10. The suit hanger as claimed inclaim 9 , wherein the frame of the suit hanger is made of steel andcovered by a layer of resin.
 11. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1 ,wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extendedfrom an inner end thereof, and wherein one of the necks includes a firstpivotal member formed thereon and having an annular groove and a taperedengaging end, and the other neck includes a second pivotal member havinga compartment for receiving the tapered engaging end, thereby allowingrelative pivotal movement between the first pivotal member and thesecond pivotal member and thus forming the articulating section.
 12. Thesuit hanger as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the first pivotal memberincludes at least two slits that extend in the tapered engaging end anda bottom wall defining the annular groove, thereby allowing easyassembly of the second pivotal member to the first pivotal member. 13.The suit hanger as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the suit hanger is madeof plastic material.
 14. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 13 ,further comprising a card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon.15. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame includestwo shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, thenecks being interconnected by a bendable junction therebetween.
 16. Thesuit hanger as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the junction is a flatmember having a notch defined in one side thereof, thereby forming thearticulating section.
 17. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 15 ,wherein the suit hanger is made of plastic material.
 18. The suit hangeras claimed in claim 17 , further comprising a card with a trademark ormanufacturer name thereon.
 19. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 2 ,wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extendedfrom an inner end thereof, the necks being interconnected by a bendablejunction therebetween.
 20. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 19 ,wherein the junction is a flat member having a notch defined in one sidethereof, thereby forming the articulating section.
 21. The suit hangeras claimed in claim 19 , wherein the suit hanger is made of plasticmaterial.
 22. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 21 , furthercomprising a card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon.
 23. Thesuit hanger as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame includes twoshoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, eachsaid neck having a circular member formed thereon, the hook having amember formed on a lower end of the straight portion, the memberdefining a compartment therein, the circular members being aligned witheach other and pivotally received in the compartment in the member by apin.
 24. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the circularmembers are completely covered by two lateral walls of the member of thehook.
 25. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the suithanger is made of plastic material.
 26. The suit hanger as claimed inclaim 25 , further comprising a card with a trademark or manufacturername thereon.
 27. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 2 , wherein theframe includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an innerend thereof, each said neck having a circular member formed thereon, thehook having a member formed on a lower end of the straight portion, themember defining a compartment therein, the circular members beingaligned with each other and pivotally received in the compartment in themember by a pin.
 28. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 27 , whereinthe circular members are completely covered by two lateral walls of themember of the hook.
 29. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 27 , whereinthe suit hanger is made of plastic material.
 30. The suit hanger asclaimed in claim 29 , further comprising a card with a trademark ormanufacturer name thereon.
 31. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1 ,wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extendedfrom an inner end thereof, each said neck having an extension formedthereon, the hook having a member formed on a lower end of the straightportion, the member defining a compartment therein, the extensions beingpivotally received in the compartment in the member, respectively. 32.The suit hanger as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the extensions arecompletely covered by two lateral walls of the member of the hook. 33.The suit hanger as claimed in claims 31, wherein the suit hanger is madeof steel.
 34. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 33 , wherein the frameof the suit hanger is made of steel and covered by a layer of resin. 35.The suit hanger as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the frame includes twoshoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, eachsaid neck having an extension formed thereon, the hook having a memberformed on a lower end of the straight portion, the member defining acompartment therein, the extensions being pivotally received in thecompartment in the member, respectively.
 36. The suit hanger as claimedin claim 35 , wherein the extensions are completely covered by twolateral walls of the member of the hook.
 37. The suit hanger as claimedin claim 35 , wherein the suit hanger is made of steel.
 38. The suithanger as claimed in claim 37 , wherein the frame of the suit hanger ismade of steel and covered by a layer of resin.
 39. A suit hangercomprising: a hook having a straight portion; and a frame connected tothe hook and having an articulating section in a middle thereof, theframe being integrally formed and including two shoulders andinterconnected by the articulating section integrally formed between theshoulders, the articulating section including a first half formed on oneof the shoulders, a second half formed on the other shoulder, and abendable interconnecting section between the first half and the secondhalf, thereby allowing the frame to be folded at the articulatingsection, the shoulders further including means for releasably engagingwith each other.
 40. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 39 , whereinthe foldable interconnecting section is a thin, flat member having anotch formed on one side thereof, and wherein one of the shouldersincludes a protrusion and the other shoulder includes a groove forreleasably receiving the protrusion.
 41. The suit hanger as claimed inclaim 39 , wherein the suit hanger is made of plastic material.
 42. Thesuit hanger as claimed in claim 41 , further comprising a card with atrademark or manufacturer name thereon.